Real-life tools I use every single week in my home
Let me guess—you’ve got a house full of chaos, kids, laundry, and to-do lists… and no energy to waste on stuff that doesn’t work. Same here.
This is my running list of tried-and-true favorites—tools that I’ve used over and over again to make homemaking, cooking, gardening, and even homeschooling just a little simpler. Nothing fancy. Just practical, affordable(ish), and truly helpful.
Some links are affiliate links (which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no cost to you). I only share what I genuinely use and love.
Cleaning & Home Management
These are the tools that help me stay on top of the mess without losing my mind.
- Dyson V11 Vacuum – Light, powerful, and worth every penny. This is my daily go-to with 5 kids in the house.
- Bissell Steam Shot – My secret weapon for bathroom grime, baseboards, and even gunked-up highchairs.
- Simple Green Cleaner – My favorite all-purpose cleaner. It smells fresh and cuts through grease without being too harsh.
- Zep Wall Cleaner – Game-changer for kid smudges and mystery handprints.
- Scrub Mommy Sponges – The only sponge I’ll use. It scrubs but doesn’t scratch.
- Target Y-Weave Laundry Baskets – Each room gets one. They’re sturdy, stackable, and make sorting laundry so much easier.
Kitchen Favorites
From sourdough to quick dinners, these are my ride-or-die kitchen tools.
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer – I use it constantly for dough, baking, and even shredding chicken.
- Danish Dough Whisk – This makes mixing dough way easier (and less messy).
- Mason Jars – Half Gallon & Quart – I use these for everything—sourdough starter, pantry staples, broth, leftovers.
- Dutch Oven – For baking bread, simmering soup, and basically living on my stovetop all winter.
- Instant Pot – This saves dinner so often. Great for beans, rice, soups, and even yogurt.
- iPad + Paprika Recipe App – I use this every day for meal planning, grocery lists, and keeping all my favorite recipes in one place. It’s like my brain for the kitchen.
Fresh Milled Flour & Food Storage
A few favorites that make from-scratch cooking a little more manageable.
- Grain Mill – If you’ve been wanting to try fresh milled flour, this is your starting point.
- Azure Standard – This is where I order all my bulk grains, wheat berries, oats, and pantry basics.
- Meat Your Maker Dehydrator – We use this for jerky, dried herbs, fruit snacks… it runs almost weekly in our house.
Gardening Tools
These are the simple tools that have made my garden rhythms easier and more joyful.
- Weeder Tool – Saves my back and makes it oddly satisfying to yank those weeds.
- Soil Blocker – A game-changer for starting seeds without plastic trays.
- Soil Trays – I use these to catch the water and organize starts without making a mess.
- Botanical Interests Seeds – My favorite seed company—beautiful, non-GMO, and lots of heirloom options.
- Photo Organizer for Seeds – The easiest way I’ve found to sort and store seeds by type or planting month.
Extras That Make Life Sweeter
A few bonus things that make everyday life smoother, calmer, or more fun.
- Simply Piano App – My kids are learning piano in a way that works with our home rhythm, not against it.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need everything on this list. Pick one or two things that would truly make your days easier—maybe a new sponge that makes dishes more bearable, or a seed organizer that finally helps you feel ready to plant.
Progress, not perfection, Momma. You’re doing an incredible job.